(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds scored three goals in the third period on route to a 4-0 win over the visiting Windsor Lancers, and the 2019 Peterbilt Atlantic Pete Kelly Cup.
Mark Rassell (Calgary, AB), Stephen Anderson (Morell, PE), and Matt Murphy (Fredericton, NB) scored in the final frame to secure UNB's win in the 15th annual Pete Kelly Cup.
Matthew Boucher (Los Angeles, CA) scored what would become the game-winner in the second period.
The teams played through a scoreless, but spirited first period that saw chances for both sides throughout.
The best scoring chances came about eight minutes into the period when UNB's Noah Carroll (Strathroy, ON) carried the puck into the Lancers zone. He fired a shot that was blocked, but Reds forward Kris Bennett (Brampton, ON) found the rebound and fired. Windsor goalie Jonathan Reinhart (Cambridge, ON) stopped that shot too.
With about 1:45 to play, Lancers' forward Anthony Salinitri (Windsor, ON) broke into the UNB zone and fired a high wrist shot that glanced off Sam Harvey's (Alma, QC) mask.
The home team opened the scoring, on the power-play, at 4:35 of the second period.
Boucher was able to solve Reinhart from in close as the Reds went up 1-0.
They added to their lead early in the third.
2:36 in, Samuel Dove-McFalls (Montreal, QC) fed a nice pass from the corner to Rassell, in the slot. His one-timer beat a moving Reinhart and gave UNB a 2-0 lead.
Anderson's goal came mid-way through the period, another goal from in close, and Murphy's goal, into an empty net, was scored at 18:25.
Harvey stopped 26 shots to earn the win in the Reds net. He was named Kelly Cup MVP.
"My job was easy," said Harvey. "My D-Men played really well in front of me."
"It was my first Kelly Cup, so it's fun to be named the MVP. At the end of the day, the win matters more, but it was fun to get the MVP award."
Reinhart, who made 45 saves on 48 shots, was named player of the game for the Lancers.
"I felt the first and the third goal, there wasn't much I could do," said Reinhart. "The only one I'd really want back is the second one. I just misplayed it. I was starting to feel a little tired."
"They're a really good hockey team," said Reinhart. "From their first line to their fourth, and all six D. They're strong, they come at you wave after wave after wave. It was a good measuring stick for us and I'm really happy with how our team played in front of me."
Lancers' head coach Kevin Hamlin echoed his goaltender's sentiment, saying he was proud of the team's effort against one of the country's top teams.
"The last two times we've played these guys we've ended up going to the University Cup," said Hamlin. "This trip is invaluable to us, it's a great measuring stick."
The game saw the debut of two new Reds, defenceman Connor Hall (Cambridge, ON) and forward Ben Hawerchuk (King City, ON).
"It was a fast-paced game, hard forechecking game," said Hawerchuk. "There's a lot of skill on this team and I'm happy to be a part of it."
"Anything you come into new, it takes a little while to adjust. It's going to come. I'm already happy with everything," said Hawerchuk.
The Reds, 13-and-4, resume their Atlantic University Sport schedule on Friday, January 3rd, when they visit Dalhousie.
The Lancers, 12-and-4 in the OUA West, resume their regular season the same evening, visiting Laurier.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics